Obituary of James Toole

A retired New Brunswick deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs, Barry Toole, of Fredericton, NB, died early Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Born on March 31, 1936 in Montreal, QC, he was the son of late Norah Vernon Barry and Dr. Francis James Toole, both UNB chemists. Barry was educated at Fredericton High School, Lower Canada College, and the University of New Brunswick. He enjoyed writing for the Daily Gleaner, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald, the Financial Times, and writing, broadcasting and producing programs for the CBC. He joined the federal public service in Ottawa in 1960, the provincial civil service in 1966, enjoyed a CIDA assignment in East Africa in 1970-71, and rejoined the New Brunswick government until 1988. After retirement, he taught public policy and public administration at St. Thomas University. In addition to his wife, the former Janet Maclellan of St. Andrews and Halifax; their daughters, Rachel Toole (Martin Huntly) of Melrose, NB and Elizabeth Toole (Gregory Garside) of Pemberton, BC; grandsons, Kaithan Baird of Ottawa, ON, Brhaen Baird and Gordon James Huntly of Melrose, NB; sister, Brigid Toole Grant (Richard) and their daughter, Dr. Hannah Grant, all of Fredericton, NB; sister-in-law, Mrs. R.J. Gibson (John) of St. John’s, NF, many cousins in England and two nieces in the United States. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his mother-in-law, former McGill professor of Marine Sciences Delphine C. Maclellan, and aunt, Kathleen Grace Barry formerly of Montreal and Fredericton. A Memorial Service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral in the spring. Interment will be held at St. Andrews Rural Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to Christ Church Cathedral, UNICEF or the Francis James Toole Scholarship Fund at UNB. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com